Excellent First Time Machine

Author's Rating:

Pros: Easy to use, great value

Cons: None when considering price and alternatives.

Author's Review
This espresso maker is easy to operate and very forgiving. It makes good espresso even when you don't get things quite right and excellent espresso when you do. Same with the frother. It makes excellent froth in medium and small quantities when you know the trick (less than 24 fl. oz., plenty for even smaller three lattes at once) but runs a bit low on steam for large jobs. It is an inexpensive unit and has its quirks as a result. For example it is a bit messy when removing the portafilter before it pressures down and the steam wand valve leaks a tiny bit of steam from time to time. All in all considering the price this thing is excellent. Throw the plastic tamper away and get (or make from 1 1/2 pvc pipe cap) a proper 58 mm tamper.